Associate - Trial & Defense

Clyde & Co is seeking an associate with 2 to 6 years of strong litigation experience to join our California team. The practice encompasses general liability, product liability, premises liability, and catastrophic injury cases, with this role collaborating closely with our Aviation practice group. The ideal candidate will have substantial experience taking and defending depositions, drafting and responding to discovery, preparing and arguing motions, and preparing pre-trial documents. The associate must be proactive, motivated and organized, and must possesses excellent research and writing skills. The associate will be expected to interact with opposing counsel and clients in a positive and professional manner.

Key Responsibilities

• Actively investigate claims and prepare case handling strategies
• Draft and respond to discovery
• Review and analyze documents for production
• Conduct legal research using Westlaw
• Take and defend depositions
• Draft and submit pleadings and motion
• Attend hearings and argue motions
• Draft pre-trial and trial documents
• Prepare cases for mediation/trial, and participate in mediation/trial
• Actively and effectively report to our clients

Essential Skills & Experience

• Possess excellent academic credentials from a reputable law school
• Admission to the bar in California
• Extensive experience in all aspects of litigation
• Exceptional legal writing and communication skills
• Effective oral advocate
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Ability to manage and prioritize multiple projects
• Ability to identify and resolve problems quickly

Why Join Us?

At Clyde & Co, we believe in supporting your professional growth while ensuring you have the flexibility and benefits you need to thrive. Here’s what you can look forward to:

• Hybrid Work Flexibility – Enjoy a perfect balance between remote and in-office work.
• Flexible Paid Time Off – Attorneys are trusted to use their professional judgment to take paid time off as needed.
• Performance Bonuses – In addition to annual performance-based bonuses, our monthly bonus plan gives you the opportunity to earn up to $2,000 per month!
• Student Debt Repayment - Eligible attorneys receive a non-taxable monthly payment of $250 applied toward a qualified higher education student loan.
• Referral Rewards – Earn generous bonuses for introducing talented colleagues to our team.
• Mentorship & Career Growth – Access strong mentorship, global training programs, and career development support.
• Engaging Culture – Participate in exciting social events, volunteer and community service initiatives, and professional development opportunities.
• Wellbeing Benefits – $300 per calendar year for a variety of wellness activities as well as a Wellbeing Day dedicated to you, free from work, to focus on your mental, physical, and emotional health.
• Inclusive Parental Leave – Six months fully paid, for all parents regardless of gender or path to parenthood.
• Global Mobility Program – Participate in client-facing events across North America and explore our international offices.

Attorney compensation for this position ranges from $160,000-$200,000 annually. Placement within the range will be determined based on factors such as experience, qualifications, practice group, location, and other job-related considerations permitted by law. Candidates with additional experience may be considered for more senior roles with corresponding compensation. The disclosed range estimate has not been adjusted for the applicable geographic differential associated with the location at which the position may be filled.

This is the job description as constituted at present; however, the Firm reserves the right to reasonably amend it in accordance with the changing needs of the business. Clyde & Co will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories or arrest and conviction records in a manner consistent with the requirements of FCIHO and the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance.

The Firm

When you work at Clyde & Co, you join a team of 500 partners, 2,400 lawyers, 3,200 legal professionals and 5,500 people in nearly 70 offices and associated offices worldwide. Our values are the principles that guide the decisions we make, unite us in our endeavours and strengthen our delivery, for both our clients and our firm. We work as one, excel with clients, celebrate difference and act boldly. We are committed to operating in a responsible way by progressing towards a diverse and inclusive workforce that reflects the communities and clients it serves. We are devoted to providing an environment in which everyone can realise their potential, using its legal and professional skills to support its communities. We do this through pro bono work, volunteering and charitable partnerships, and minimising the impact it has on the environment, including through our commitment to the SBTi Net-Zero standard and the setting of ambitious emissions reduction targets.

Our Commitment

Clyde & Co is proud to be an equal opportunities employer. Our values encourage us to support fairness, celebrate diversity and prohibit all forms of discrimination in the workplace to allow everyone to excel at work. Therefore, we welcome and encourage all applications from suitably qualified individuals, regardless of background or identity. Learn more about our interview process.

A Note on Privacy

Please take a moment to read our privacy notice. This describes what personal information Clyde & Co (we) may hold about you, what it’s used for, how it’s obtained, your rights and how to contact us as a data subject.

If you are submitting a candidate as a Recruitment Agency Partner, it is an essential requirement and your responsibility to ensure that candidates applying to Clyde & Co are aware of this privacy notice.

This is the job description as constituted at present; however, Clyde & Co reserves the right to reasonably amend it in accordance with the changing needs of the business.